Lewis and Clark Humane Society

Minutes of Board Meeting

February 19, 2002

Call to Order: President Denise Tarr called the board meeting of the Lewis and Clark Humane Society to order at 6:30 pm at the Stray Pet Center. Present were Executive Board Members Jean Ketchel, Jane Benson, Denise Tarr, Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson, Terey Artz, Gerry Daumiller, Jennifer Green, Shelter Executive Director Gina Wiest, and Shelter Bookkeeper Robyn McNellis Absent was Tia Fehlig, Gary Spaeth (Executive Board) and Lynda Benson, Vicki Thacker, Tiffany David, Sara Stanton, Angie McDunn, Renee Kowalski, and Bev Rankin (Auxiliary Board). Shauna Stallings was a guest.

Secretary’s Report: It was moved by Terey, seconded by Jane, to approve the January 15, 2002 board meeting minutes. Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report: Terey and Robyn reported that we are about halfway through the year and at 58% of the budget. There will be a transfer of funds from the animal cruelty account to the regular account to pay the Animal Center. Gerry made a motion, seconded by Jean, to take $4,000 out of the Shelter General Fund to pay the first bill of Derek Brown Construction. Motion passed. Gina and Denise will go to DAD and reimburse the General Fund. Terey announced she will be resigning at LCHS Treasurer at the end of March 2002. Thank you, Terey, for all the work you have done, and know we will miss you.

Shelter Executive Director’s Report: Gina reported that everything is all set for the spay-ghetti dinner fundraiser being organized by the shelter staff in conjunction with spay & neuter day. The event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 23 at the East Helena VFW. Dinner will begin at 6:00 with a dance to follow. Shauna Stallings has been working on getting door prizes and silent auction items. Gina stated that she has received a favorable response from the letter written to the IR in response to an earlier letter questioning the policies of the animal shelter.

Gina has been buying cat litter from Costco in Bozeman, rather than MT Broom and Brush for an estimated savings of $3,800/yr. There was some discussion of the payment method, whether it would be best to get a personal executive account (at a greater savings for businesses) or continue to use Gina’s personal account. This matter was tabled until next month. Gina will check to see if an executive account can be obtained, but not directly linked to her personally.

Gina reported that the City of Helena wants the shelter to release names of people who have their animals brought directly to the center for impound (by someone other than the animal control officer) so that the city can issue them a ticket ($25.00 impound fee). There was much board discussion of this matter; some members thinking this may be an invasion of privacy. Gerry will ask attorney Dave Gallik for his thoughts on the matter.

Lewis & Clark Humane Society

Statistics by Jurisdiction 2001

City of Helena 559

City ACO 306

Lewis & Clark County 972

L&C County ACO 256

City of East Helena 66

East Helena Police Dept. 15

City of Townsend 24

Broadwater County 52

Jefferson County 253

TOTAL 2,554

Gina stated that only 29% of the animals that entered the shelter last year were spayed or neutered.

The Animal Center is using a new anesthetic, raising spay and neuter costs by $5.00. There was much discussion on whether that $5.00 increase should be paid out of the shelter spay/neuter donation fund (approx. $3,700) or passed on to the adopting individual. (Shauna will check for sure to see if the $5.00 increase is just for dogs, or across the board). It was discussed whether absorbing fees for one clinic, and not others, was fair. A motion was made by Gerry, seconded by Jennifer, to take the $5.00 out of the spay/neuter fund for three months (until June meeting) to see how much it decreases. Lisa will remind the board in June to check on this. An amendment to the motion was made by Jean, seconded by Terey, that if the shelter takes the animal in to the Animal Center, the shelter should pick up the $5.00 fee. If the client brings the animal in to the Animal Center, he/she will be responsible for the $5.00 fee. The amendment passed. The original motion also passed.

Lastly, Gina discussed the possibility of charging an extra fee to euthanize vicious dogs. She has to use extra tranquilizer and her safety, and that of her staff, is a factor. Gerry made a motion, Jean seconded that a $20 extra fee be added to the $40 euthanization/disposal fee for vicious dogs. Motion passed.

President’s Report: Denise stated that Jean may take over the LCHS Treasurer position vacated by Terey’s resignation. Gina and Denise will speak with John McDunn to see if he is interested in a position on the LCHS Auxiliary Board. Jane will put together a small boxed ad to run in the IR asking for volunteers, as more are needed. The money to run the ad will come out of the advertising budget—if the cost to run the ad several times is more than $100, Jane will contact the board. Denise reported that the next business card social is Thursday, Feb. 21 at the Holter Museum from 5-7 pm.

Old Business: Discussion of MT Shares. The Jazz and Just Desserts (a MT Shares event) will be Friday, March 15. Desserts and/or workers are needed for this event. Any time we contribute to this sort of thing, we get “points” and the points fulfill our contract. A motion was made by Gerry, seconded by Terey, to pay $200 for another associate membership in MT Shares (contract to be signed on March 2). The motion passed. A second motion was made by Jean, seconded by Terey, to send Robyn to MT Shares activities next week. There was discussion of making Robyn’s position full-time with her attending MT Shares meetings during the day.

New Business: The Home and Garden Show will be April 5-7, 2002.

Standing Committee Reports:

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee will arrange an interview time with Shauna Stallings, potential Auxiliary Board candidate.

Miscellaneous: Jane reported that the Bylaws Committee has met and begun the process of revising the Bylaws. The revision of the Bylaws is expected to be extensive. The changes to the Bylaws will be brought to the board in the next several months. KTVH is running photos of adoptable pets on TV on Tuesdays again. Saturday, March 9, 8:30-4 pm, is the Equine Expo at the fairgrounds. Someone is needed to help “man” the table. Candy Kirby and Jane will take cats. Volunteer Candy Kirby is willing to take animals around monthly to various places for exposure and, hopefully, adoption.

Adjournment: The board meeting adjourned at approximately 8:50 pm. The next regular LCHS Board meeting will be Tuesday, March 19 at 6:30 at the shelter.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson